Warning:
The
postcards in this section depict historical scenes of war-related
violence, including civilian executions, which are inappropriate for
children and which may be upsetting or offensive to some viewers.
Discretion is advised !!

Edith Louisa Cavell was
born on 4 December 1865 in Swardeston in Norfolk (GB).
In 1907 she became the matron of the Berkendael Institute in Brussels. In
August 1914, Cavell was spending a short holiday with her mother in
Norwich after her husband's death. Edith was weeding her mother's back
garden when she heard the dramatic news that Germany had invaded Belgium.
"I am needed more than ever," she said, and immediately left for
the Continent. Her mother never saw her again.

Cavell sheltered at the Institute
British, French and Belgian soldiers, from where they were helped to
escape to Holland, which was neutral. It became obvious however, that the
escape route could not be kept open indefinitely. The Germans were well
aware that large numbers of fugitive soldiers were crossing the Belgian
border into Holland. Then, in August 1915, the Germans raided the home of
Philippe Baucg, a member of the escape organization, and arrested him.
Unfortunately Baucq failed to destroy several incriminating letters in
which Edith Cavell's name appeared.

On August 5, Otto Mayer
of the German Secret Police arrived in the Rue de la Culture. Cavell was
driven to police headquarters and questioned. But nothing of importance
was found in the Institute -- Cavell had, in fact, sewn her diary inside a
cushion. Although more than 200 troops had passed through her hands, the
only document incriminating the nurse was a tattered postcard sent, rather
unwisely, by an English soldier thanking her for helping him to
reach home. Cavell was sentenced to death, along with four Belgians. Two
firing squads, each of eight men, carried out the execution at dawn on
October 12, 1915, at the national rifle range in Brussels. Cavell was
still wearing her nurse's uniform.

Although the German action was
justified according to the rule of war, the shooting of Edith Cavell was a
serious blunder. Within days, the heroic nurse became a worldwide martyr,
and the Germans were universally described as "murdering
monsters." As a result of her execution, Allied morale was
strengthened, and recruitment doubled for eight weeks after her death was
announced.

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